Key points:

Jeff and local firefighters worked for hours to keep the flames at bay

His wife says he is a ‘hero’ but doesn’t think the emotional toll has hit him yet

Jeff Pershouse managed to save 1,000 mango trees and other small vegetable crops at his farm near The Caves after putting a call out for help on Facebook, when his calls to triple zero initially went unanswered.

He said after an hour about 30 locals and rural firefighters came to his aid.

“It was just ferocious — travelling at high speeds and just uncontrollable,” he said.